Determination of amitraz and 2,4‐dimethylaniline residues in honey by using LC with UV detection and MS/MS

A method for the determination and confirmation of amitraz and its degradation product 2,4‐dimethylaniline (2,4‐DMA) in honey is reported. Determination of the two compounds was based on HPLC with UV detection and MS/MS (LC‐MS/MS) after a liquid–liquid extraction with hexane and isopropyl alcohol. Chromatographic separation was achieved by using a C18 column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.02 M ammonium acetate and ACN. Recoveries for fortified honey ranged from 83.4 to 103.4% for amitraz and from 89.2 to 104.7% for 2,4‐DMA with RSD values lower than 11.6% for HPLC and LC‐MS/MS methods. LOD was 6 μg/kg for amitraz and 8 μg/kg for 2,4‐DMA, while LOQ was 20 μg/kg for amitraz and 25 μg/kg for 2,4‐DMA in HPLC method. LOD was 1 μg/kg for amitraz and 2 μg/kg for 2,4‐DMA, while LOQ was 5 μg/kg for amitraz and 10 μg/kg for 2,4‐DMA in LC‐MS/MS method.